Obituaries in Kansas Newspapers (arranged by city)
James T. Koelzer
James T. Koelzer, 64, of Seneca, died on Friday, September 19, 2014 at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
He was born on May 16, 1950 to Thomas H. and Virginia Eis Koelzer in Seneca, Kansas. He attended Sts. Peter & Paul and graduated High School with the Class of 1968. He attended Cloud County in Concordia, Kansas before joining the Air Force in April 6, 1970. He was assigned to the 15th Comm Sq (ADC). He served in Vietnam and was discharged in April 5, 1974 as a Sergeant.
On January 5, 1980 he married
Janet Heiman at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. He was the 4th generation to own and operate Koelzer Lumber located on Main Street in Seneca. Jim was generous with his time and truly enjoyed visiting and helping others. He loved cars and motorcycles; and during one summer took his family to 23 car shows.
He was the founder of the Seneca Car Show, which he continued to help organize for the past 27 years, as well as the founder of the Seneca Car Club. He was a past President of the Nemaha County 4-H Fair Board, and was Grand Marshall of the 4-H Parade in 2011. He was a member of the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Earl W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion both of Seneca. He served as Director of the Legion Riders of Post #21 and as the Commander for three years and as Adjutant for three years. He was a member of the VFW Legion Riders Post 1367 in Holton for three years, and was a member and vice-president of R.O.A.M. in the Heartland. Jim was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Koelzer on January 20, 1988; and his sister, Joyce E. Koelzer Akers-Beljan on January 22, 2007.
He is survived by his wife, Janet Koelzer of Seneca; his children, Bob Koelzer of Seneca, Angie (Anthony) Wassenberg of Lincoln, Nebraska, Tim (Kylee) Koelzer of Manhattan and Kim (Jesse) Koelzer of Lawrence; his mother, Virginia Koelzer of Topeka; a brother, Rick Koelzer of Topeka; two sisters, Dr. Anita (Mark) Koelzer of Lafayette, Colorado and Nancy (Mike) Sumpter of Topeka; and a grandson, Hayden Wassenberg.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, September 27th at 10 AM at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Rosaries will be at Lauer Funeral Home on Friday, September 26th at 2 & 7PM. Burial will be in Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery, with full military honors.
Melvin H. Koelzer
Melvin H. Koelzer, 68, of Corning, KS, died Monday, January 1, 2001, shortly after arrival at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, KS. His death was due to an apparent heart attack.
He was born November 22, 1932, on a farm south of Seneca, the son of Lawrence and Anna Weber Koelzer. He attended St. Patrick's School and helped on the family farm. In 1955 he entered the US Army where he served in Germany as a message carrier. He was discharged in 1957 and returned to the farm.
On February 7, 1959, he married
Gladys Gudenkauf at Sts. Peter & Paul Church at Seneca. She survives of the home. They farmed west of Corning, had livestock, and in earlier years, a dairy. Melvin was semi-retired and continued to help his son, Jerry, with the farming.
He was a member of St Patrick's Church at Corning where he served on the church council and was a lay minister for many years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus #1769 at Seneca where he helped with bingo. He also helped with bingo at the American Legion in Corning, even though he was not a member. Melvin was a volunteer with the Corning Fire Department for over 20 years and had served as chairman of the Nemaha County Fire District #2 at Corning. He was a past president of the St. Patrick's School Parent Teacher Organization.
Survivors besides his wife, Gladys, are a twin son and daughter, Jerald "Jerry" Koelzer of Corning and Jane Halling of Lancaster, KS; a brother, Sylvester Koelzer of DuBois, Nebraska; four sisters, Rita Eisenbarth of Lees Summitt, MO, Lorene Olberding of Baileyville, KS, Ann Broxterman of Silver Lake, Kansas, Mary Haverkamp of Seneca; and four grandsons.
The mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday at St. Patrick's Church at Corning. The burial will be in the church cemetery, with flag presetation by the Arthur L. Mills Post of the American Legion of Corning. The rosary will be prayed at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca on Tuesday at 2 P.M. and at 7 P.M.
Memorials may be given for St. Patrick's Church or for the Corning Emergency Medical Services and sent in care of the family.
Andrew D. Kohake
Andrew D. Kohake, 16, of Centralia, Kansas, died early Sunday morning, June 3, 2007, as the result of an automobile accident.
He was born March 4, 1991, in Seneca, Kansas, the only son of Joseph and Denise Bergman Kohake. He attended Centralia Grade School and graduated from 8th grade in May of 2006. He had just completed his freshman year at Centralia High School.
Andrew was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church, CCD, the Centralia FFA, the Centralia Boy Scout Troop 71, Centralia Cub Scout Pack 136, Centralia Ace’s 4-H Club, FCA, Kay’s and band. Andrew was also active in sports, participating in football, track, and baseball.
Andrew treasured time spent with his dad, and was often found helping dad in his woodworking shop. He enjoyed pottery, hunting, fishing, camping, and loved to go four-wheeling. In his spare time, he liked volunteering and helping those in the community of Centralia. When the snow was flying, he would often go and clear sidewalks and driveways of elderly neighbors before going to school.
Andrew always had a smile and was always willing to help those who were unable to perform chores or those who were less fortunate. He was a very giving and caring young man, who took pleasure in being around others. Even in his passing he continued his giving tradition with the ultimate gift, as an organ donor who will continue to live on in many people.
Survivors besides his parents are three sisters, Karen and fiancé Darin of Topeka, and Kayla and Abigail, both of the home; and his grandparents, Dan and Mary Boeding Kohake of Seneca and Leona Koelzer Bergman of Baileyville.
His grandfather Merlin Bergman preceded him in death on May 9, 1999.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 AM Wednesday, June 6, at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the Sts. Peter & Paul Church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 PM on Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca, with another rosary at the funeral home at 5 PM for friends and classmates. The third rosary will be at 7:30 PM Tuesday at Sts. Peter and Paul Church. Andrew's father Joe will be keeping an all-night vigil at the church on Tuesday night with anyone who wants to join him.
Memorials may be given for the Centralia High School, and sent in care of the family.
Daniel C. Kohake
Daniel Charles Kohake, 90, of Seneca, Kansas, passed away peacefully, to be with Our Lord on March 3, 2014, at Life Care Center in Seneca, surrounded by his family on Monday evening, praying at his bedside.
Dan was born on the family farm located north of Centralia, Kansas April 23, 1923, to Joseph and Margaret Trimble Kohake. He attended grade school at Diamond District NO. 88 near Seneca and graduated from Sts. Peter and Paul High School, Seneca, Kansas, in 1940.
Dan worked at the Seneca Farmer’s Elevator before entering in to the U.S. Army services in 1943. He served in the 78th Infantry Division in Europe as a rifle and machine gunner in Company C 310 Infantry. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 as a First Sergeant having received three Bronze Service stars and a Purple Heart. He returned home to the family farm and found the love of his life, Mary Boeding. They wed on September 11, 1946 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Corning. The couple farmed the home place northeast of Centralia, and later operated a Grade A dairy. In the spring of 2005 Dan and Mary moved to Seneca. They were blessed with eight children and 63 years of marriage, prior to Mary’s passing in 2009.
Dan remained on the family homestead as a farmer and dairyman until his retirement. He was involved in many community projects and served on the Mitchell Township and the Nemaha County Co-Op Board of Directors. He belonged to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Sts. Peter and Paul Choir, and St. Joseph’s Society. He dearly loved the Catholic Church and was an active parish member—he was on the council, served as a lay minister, lector, commentator and rosary leader. Dan and Mary donated many hours of labor to the church; as well as, the recent gift of the SPPS church organ. He was a past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus # 1769, a member of the Fourth Degree Ponce de Leon Assembly, and a past District Deputy of the State Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Earl W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion both of Seneca. He and Bill Schneider initiated the school and church newspaper recycling drive in the early 1970s. In later years he was the Nemaha County Training Center transportation driver which he enjoyed dearly. Dan had one hobby and that was working with his chainsaw cleaning up his farms; he was one of these farmers that stayed busy on the farm they loved.
He is survived by children, Judy Deters of Baileyville, Jean (Herman) Renyer of Sabetha, Janice (Jim) Steinlage of Olathe, Fred (Geralynn) Kohake of Centralia, Barb Montgomery of Topeka, Beth (Brent) Nelson of Holton, Joe (Denise) Kohake of Centralia, and John (Mary Beth) Kohake of Centralia; a brother, Leonard “Duke” Kohake of Seneca; 36 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sisters, Lucille Bednarz and Edith Scheurer; son-in-law, Merlin Deters on September 23, 2006; and two grandsons, Ed Deters on May 17, 1987 and Andrew Kohake on June 3, 2007.
Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Thursday, March 6, 2014, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Funeral Mass will be offered at 11 AM Friday, March 7, 2014, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials will be designated at a later date, and sent in care of the family.
Florence Kohake
Florence Kohake, 84, of Kelly, Kansas, died Thursday morning, June 21, 2007, at the Olathe Medical Center in Olathe after being recently diagnosed with cancer.
Florence was born September 6, 1922, on a farm west of St. Benedict, Kansas, the daughter of Henry G. and Ida Gellhaus Hulsing. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in St. Benedict in 1940. After graduation, she worked as a housekeeper with families in the Atchison and Kansas City areas.
On August 18, 1943, she married
Ernest Kohake. The couple made their home on a farm east of Kelly. Her husband preceded her in death on November 2, 1965, and Florence continued on raising her four young daughters into strong and capable women.
After her husband’s death, Florence served as housekeeper for Fr. Vincent Wavada O.S.B. at St. Bede’s Parish in Kelly. She was very involved with her church and spent a great deal of time decorating the altar with fresh flowers. She was a sacristan for over 35 years, in addition to being a member of St. Ann’s Altar Society. Florence also volunteered at the Sts. Peter & Paul Mission Center and for the Nemaha County Bloodmobile. She was an avid quilter, embroiderer and gardener. Florence was a willing worker, an outstanding cook, and a charitable woman who was genuinely nice. She was an excellent neighbor who will be missed tremendously.
She is survived by four daughters, Joan Kohake of Council Grove, Mariana Kemper of Logan, Marcia Brockus of Spring Hill, and Monica Haug of Seneca; four brothers, Victor, Bernard, and Joseph Hulsing, all of Seneca, and Henry Hulsing of Topeka; four sisters, Henrietta Holthaus and Marceline Meyer of Axtell, Mildred Kohake of Goff and Ida Rose Wichman of Kelly; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband Ernest, she was preceded in death by four siblings, Celestine “Sally” Hulsing, Elsa McGuire, Mary C. Stallbaumer and Emil Hulsing.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 AM Saturday, June 23, at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Friday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.
Memorials may be given for St. Bede’s Church or the Sts. Peter & Paul Mission Center, and sent in care of the family.
Giles F. Kohake
Giles F. Kohake, 88, of Seneca, Kansas, died Sunday, December 23, 2012 at his home in Seneca.
Giles Francis Kohake was born July 10, 1924 on a farm southwest of Baileyville, to Frank and Josephine Fangman Kohake. He graduated from Baileyville High School.
On April 19, 1949 he married
Rosella Haug at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. The couple were neighbors growing up, and after marriage they lived and raised a family on a farm a short distance from where they grew up, only a half-mile from Giles' family farm.
Giles was a lifelong farmer, and stayed active with the family farm even after retiring to live in town.
He was a member of the Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville for 70 years and Sts. Peter & Paul Church for 18 years. He was also a member of the Axtell Knights of Columbus.
Giles was an avid reader, enjoyed playing cards and traveling. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as casino outings with neighbors and friends.
He is survived by Rosella, his wife of 63 years; five children, Mary Jo (Jim) Bieker of Topeka, Carol (Wayne) Schmitz of Baileyville, Frank (Marilyn) Kohake of Axtell, Ann (Ron) Hand of Sugar Land, Texas and John (Donna) Kohake of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; two sisters, Helene Dalinghaus of Centralia and Mary Faith Dalinghaus of Seneca; 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
A rosary will be prayed at 7 PM Tuesday, December 25, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of a Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Wednesday, December 26, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Mary A. Kohake
Mary A. Kohake, 84, of Seneca, Kansas, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sunday evening, November 29, 2009 at her home.
She was born October 20, 1925, on a farm southwest of Kelly, the daughter of Conrad and Mary Waller Boeding. She attended St. Patrick’s Grade School in Corning and graduated from Corning Rural High School in May of 1943. After high school, she went to work for Meyer Yearbook in Topeka.
On September 11, 1946 she married
Daniel C. "Dan" Kohake at St. Patrick’s Church in Corning. The couple farmed the home place northeast of Centralia, and later operated a Grade A dairy. In the spring of 2005 Dan and Mary moved to Seneca. They celebrated 63 years of marriage.
Besides being a homemaker, Mary served on the Sts. Peter & Paul School Board. She belonged to Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, she was a past President and officer of St. Ann’s Altar Society, a member of LCBA, a past officer of the ACCW, and member of the Seneca Legion Auxiliary, all in Seneca.
Mary enjoyed volunteering at schools and local nursing homes. Her hobbies were ceramics, crocheting and playing cards. She loved being around her family and especially cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren sharing with them her talent for ceramics.
She is survived by her husband Dan of the home; children, Judy Deters of Baileyville, Jean (Herman) Renyer of Sabetha, Janice (Jim) Steinlage of Olathe, Fred (Geralynn) Kohake of Centralia, Barb (Steve) Montgomery of Topeka, Beth (Brent) Nelson of Holton, Joe (Denise) Kohake of Centralia, and John (Mary Beth) Kohake of Centralia; a brother, Sylvester J. “Skall” Boeding of Seneca; 34 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren and a great-great grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her brothers, Edward, Lambert, Aloysius, Conrad, and Joseph Boeding; her sisters, Lena Gudenkauf, Ann Kramer, Odelia “Tillie” Buessing, Clara Droge, and an infant, Margaret Boeding; her son-in-law, Merlin Deters; and two grandsons, Ed Deters and Andrew Kohake.
Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Wednesday, December 2, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Funeral mass will be offered at 11 AM Thursday, December 3, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be given in Mary’s memory for Sts. Peter & Paul School or Nemaha Valley Community Hospital, and sent in care of the family.
